Jack Warren Mathis (September 25, 1921 – March 18, 1943) was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration, for his actions in World War II.
On March 18, 1943, Mathis was lead bombardier on a mission over Bremen-Vegesack, Germany. As lead bombardier it was his responsibility to direct the bombing of the entire squadron. An exploding antiaircraft shell sent fragments into Mathis' plane, shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the right side and abdomen. Despite being mortally wounded, Mathis propped himself over the Norden bombsight, located the target and dropped his bombs. He died at his post, but had directed the mission's bombing with great precision, and for his actions was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Mark Mathis was on base when the plane carrying his brother's body landed after the mission. At his own request, Mark Mathis was transferred into Jack Mathis' crew to replace him as bombardier. When the crew completed its tour of duty, Mark Mathis stayed in combat and was killed in action over the North Sea in May 1943.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomb Squadron, 303d Bomb Group. Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, March 18, 1943. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: September 25, 1921, San Angelo, Tex. G.O. No.: 38, July 12, 1943.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on March 18, 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier's compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.[1]
^. World War II (M-S). U.S. Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
Referencesedit
. World War II (M-S). U.S. Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
"Above and Beyond: The Medal of Honor in Texas," Capitol Visitors Center, State Preservation Board of Texas. Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association, University of Texas, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmava. September 26, 2005.
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Jack Warren Mathis September 25 1921 March 18 1943 was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor the United States military s highest decoration for his actions in World War II Jack W MathisBorn 1921 09 25 September 25 1921San Angelo TexasDiedMarch 18 1943 1943 03 18 aged 21 Bremen VegesackPlace of burialFairmont Cemetery in San Angelo TexasAllegiance United States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States Army Air ForcesYears of service1940 1943RankFirst LieutenantUnit359th Bombardment Squadron 303rd Bomb Group Heavy Battles warsWorld War IIAwardsMedal of Honor Purple Heart Air Medal 2 Contents 1 Biography 2 Awards and honors 2 1 Medal of Honor citation 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksBiography edit nbsp Mathis in flight gear in England c 1942 nbsp Mathis back row right with his flight crew June 1942 Jack W Mathis was born on September 25 1921 in San Angelo Texas and grew up in nearby Sterling City He enlisted in the Army on June 12 1940 and served in an artillery unit at Fort Sill Oklahoma until he learned that his brother Mark had enlisted in the then U S Army Air Corps Mathis transferred into his brother s unit and began aviation cadet training at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo Both were trained as bombardiers and commissioned as Second Lieutenants upon graduation Jack Mathis was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force in England where he flew 14 missions On March 18 1943 Mathis was lead bombardier on a mission over Bremen Vegesack Germany As lead bombardier it was his responsibility to direct the bombing of the entire squadron An exploding antiaircraft shell sent fragments into Mathis plane shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the right side and abdomen Despite being mortally wounded Mathis propped himself over the Norden bombsight located the target and dropped his bombs He died at his post but had directed the mission s bombing with great precision and for his actions was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor Mark Mathis was on base when the plane carrying his brother s body landed after the mission At his own request Mark Mathis was transferred into Jack Mathis crew to replace him as bombardier When the crew completed its tour of duty Mark Mathis stayed in combat and was killed in action over the North Sea in May 1943 Jack Mathis is buried in Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo Texas His Medal of Honor is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio The sports and fitness center at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo Texas was named in his honor in 1966 Mathis Municipal Airport in San Angelo was named in honor of both Mathis brothers in 1988 Awards and honors edit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp USAAF Bombardier Badge Medal of Honor Purple Heart Air Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith bronze campaign star World War II Victory Medal Medal of Honor citation edit Rank and organization First Lieutenant U S Army Air Corps 359th Bomb Squadron 303d Bomb Group Place and date Over Vegesack Germany March 18 1943 Entered service at San Angelo Tex Born September 25 1921 San Angelo Tex G O No 38 July 12 1943 Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack Germany on March 18 1943 1st Lt Mathis as leading bombardier of his squadron flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire was just starting his bomb run upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire His right arm was shattered above the elbow a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier s compartment Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him 1st Lt Mathis by sheer determination and willpower though mortally wounded dragged himself back to his sights released his bombs then died at his post of duty As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy 1st Lt Mathis undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit 1 See also edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp United States portal List of Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War IINotes edit Jack W Mathis Medal of Honor recipient World War II M S U S Army Center of Military History June 8 2009 Archived from the original on April 30 2008 Retrieved December 10 2007 References edit Jack W Mathis Medal of Honor recipient World War II M S U S Army Center of Military History June 8 2009 Archived from the original on April 30 2008 Retrieved December 10 2007 Above and Beyond The Medal of Honor in Texas Capitol Visitors Center State Preservation Board of Texas Handbook of Texas Online Texas State Historical Association University of Texas http www tshaonline org handbook online articles fmava September 26 2005 Hell s Angels 303rd Bomb Group Association http 303rdbg com h moh html November 15 2005 Wings of Valor II http www homeofheros com wings part2 05 mathis html October 12 2005 External links editJack W Mathis at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jack W Mathis amp oldid 1206848077, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
